James Smith 43

Description

A County Durham rapist who carried out the "hideous" sexual abuse of a child while drunk has been caged for 12 years.

James Smith left his victim "uncomfortable" in their own skin and battling feelings of "disgust" after raping and sexually abusing them. The 43-year-old carried out the abuse when he was drunk and maintains his innocence, despite being found guilty by a jury.

On Monday, Smith, of Spennymoor, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for rape, sexual assault of a child, and sexual activity in the presence of a child. He was convicted after a three-day trial on August 2. Prosecutor, Shaun Dodds told the court that Smith carried out the offences "under the influence of alcohol".

In a statement, Smith's victim, who was a child at the time of the offences, said that they only began to "process" what happened to them when they got older. They said they felt "disgust in the pit of my stomach" and "uncomfortable in my own skin". The victim also made attempts to take their own life, the court heard.

Thomas Sherrington, defending, told the court Smith "still maintains his innocence". He said: "The offences were completely out of character. He has no previous convictions for sexual matters."

Mr Sherrington added: "It appears [the offences] were unplanned. There is little personal mitigation as he continues to deny the offences...he does suffer from depression and anxiety."

Sentencing Smith, Judge Adams said: "You had chronic alcohol problems at the time, which you were in complete denial about."

Judge Adams said that Smith's alcohol abuse was an aggravating factor in the offences as he "knew what you were doing" and that he acted in a "hideous manner". He added: "I accept you may have no memory of the offences given the state you were in."

Smith was jailed for 12 years and made subject of a lifetime restraining order. He will also be on the sex offender register for life, and a 20 year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed.